Cipriani Board members told: Govern not manage

Joseph Remy, president of the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), yesterday was installed as chairman of the Board of Governors of the Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperatives Studies.

Presenting Remy and other board members with their instruments of appointment Minister of Labour Errol McLeod advised them they were subject only to the general directions of the Government and were not under the control or direction of any other person or authority.

He also told them their role was to “govern and not manage.” He added: “In so doing, your responsibility is to provide oversight and direction while adhering to certain key principles, such as selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.“Additionally, I encourage you to adopt an approach of trust-based governance which focuses on building an active and an independent board while at the same time developing relationships with stakeholders on the basis of trust.”

The minister told the new directors they were responsible for preparing Trinidad and Tobago’s work force for a more diverse and challenging world of work. That, he said, was a crucial role in the “current environment of changing workplace realities, fluctuating economies and inevitable setbacks.” McLeod said there was need to motivate and encourage workers to seize current and emerging opportunities.

“This requires a greater focus on retooling, retraining and lifelong learning,” he said. He was confident the new board would do its best to develop the college into the region’s premier tertiary educational institution.

The other members of the board are Nelson Sinnette, Jerome Teelucksingh, Aynsley Matthews, Stephen Thomas, Trevor Johnson, Ashford Sankar, Gregory Jones and Anand Tiwari.